Wyoming Watch

JoLynne "J.J." Lyon is a Utah-based author who grew up in Cheyenne. Her new book, released on May 1, titled "The Madres Deal," is about a detective named Shae Barcola, a woman with the power to make everyone around her tell the truth. This week, Taylor Staples, our arts and entertainment reporter, spoke with Lyon about her new book. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week. New episodes every Friday. Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

The Cowboy State is bolstering its rodeo reputation with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's recent development deal to relocate its national headquarters, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne.

Estimates indicate the transition will bring $256.2 million to Laramie County, with a $15 million commitment from the state to support the move.

This week on Wyoming Watch, Wyoming Tribune Eagle state government reporter Noah Zahn spoke with Cheyenne LEADS President and CEO Betsey Hale, and Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dale Steenbergen about the impact of the move.

Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week.

New episodes every Friday.

Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

Recently, the Laramie County Library has expanded its programs with the intent of improving local access to books and other library services. This includes the new rural access programs, telehealth access and the new Mobile Library that is set to begin serving the public later this month. This week on Wyoming Watch, Laramie County Library Executive Director Antonia Gaona and Marketing and Communications Manager Joelle Ashley join the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's Crime and Public Safety/Education Reporter Ivy Secrest to discuss the changes and what they mean for Laramie County. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week. New episodes every Friday. Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

Cheyenne has been experiencing a rise in data center development for the past few years, and more projects are in development or being proposed. Due to a recent incident with members of the Cheyenne City Council being unaware a potential annexation on their agenda was for a data center, and with more and more developers eyeing the capital city as a premier destination for data centers, residents are beginning to fight back. Many cite concerns with water usage, property values, electricity rates and much more. But those in the community who advocate for data center development are pushing back on those opinions. This week, Alyssa Tolman, our local government/business reporter, spoke with Cheyenne LEADS CEO Betsey Hale, as well as Cheyenne resident Exie Brown about the pros and cons of data centers, and how they each think this recent boom will affect the community. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week. New episodes every Friday. Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

Craig Johnson is a Wyoming author known for his long-running Longmire book series. The series features mystery-solving Sheriff Walt Longmire, who's based in the fictional Absaroka County in Wyoming. Johnson's 22nd addition to the series, "The Brothers McKay," will be released on May 26. The book will revolve around Sheriff Walt Longmire investigating the murder of Pepper McKay, a widely disliked individual in his county. Longmire is then sent to investigate and interrogate his four sons, who are all suspects, while also facing a dangerous wildfire and a second body that turns up. This week, Taylor Staples, our arts and entertainment reporter, spoke with Johnson about the new book. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week. New episodes every Friday. Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

This year, one of Cheyenne's most well-known nonprofits, Day of Giving, will host its largest annual event for the first time without founder Greta Morrow, who passed away in November of last year. Morrow was often described as the heart and soul of the organization, which serves as a resource for other local nonprofits, collecting food, toiletries, clothing, cash and many other essentials that nonprofits need year-round. This week on Wyoming Watch, our crime and public safety reporter Ivy Secrest speaks with Day of Giving board president Samantha Schol and vice president Brady Koerwitz about the upcoming event. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week.

A new immersive exhibit, Aloha Vaqueros, will be opening at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum on April 11, and remain up until Sept. 13. Aloha Vaqueros centers around the historical and cultural impacts of the Hawaiian paniolos and Mexican vaqueros, and how they paved the way for the American cowboy. The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This week, Taylor Staples, our arts and entertainment reporter, spoke with Mike Kassel, the associate director and museum curator at the CFD Old West Museum, about Aloha Vaqueros.

Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week.

New episodes every Friday.

Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

Jeff Lippencott is the composer-in-residence for the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra's 71st season, "Celebrating America." CSO's last main concert of the season, "Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue," is coming up on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cheyenne Civic Center. Lippencott was commissioned for multiple pieces throughout the season, including "American Patriot Hymn," which will make its world premiere debut at the April 11 concert.

This week, Taylor Staples, our arts and entertainment reporter, spoke with both Lippencott and CSO Maestro William Intriligator about the upcoming concert and the pieces that will be featured.

Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week.

New episodes every Friday.

Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected].

Spring has only just begun, and yet Cheyenne is already seeing summer-like heat, with a record-breaking 83-degree day reinforcing a warm, dry pattern that has local meteorologists and water officials on alert. This week, Alyssa Tolman, our local government/business reporter, spoke with a local meteorologist, a local weather department official and a local plant nursery manager to talk about how the heat and dry weather could affect the city in the coming months. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week. New episodes every Friday. Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected]

In February, Carrie Nix, a cardiac and pulmonary rehab manager at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, was nominated for Wyoming's first ever Go Red for Women: Woman of Impact campaign, which is hosted by the American Heart Association. This week, Taylor Staples, our arts and entertainment reporter, spoke with Nix and Andrea Shipley, the development director for the American Heart Association in Wyoming, to talk about Nix's nomination and how to donate and join her team. Stick around until the end for a roundup of upcoming events in the area and a recap of the top stories from the WTE newsroom over the past week. New episodes every Friday. Provide feedback or suggestions to [email protected]